Chapter Text
Fuming and barely aware of his soundings Hannibal continued his walk through the grounds, paying no mind to his surroundings as his thoughts were still occupied almost entirely on his mate.
Through most of his life Hannibal had been alone. With few companions as a youth, already deemed intelligent for his age and beginning already to feel the strain of the exceptions and responsibilities that would one day be his the young alpha had used unoccupied hours to better himself through the multitude of past knowledge contained in castle library. Science of the body had fascinated him particularly and though not an occupation deemed appropriate for his station had been permitted to study for several years before the old man demanded him home to be married.
So many memories were soured by that omega and his own greedy, selfish father. It sickened him that the vapid creature who had very near ruined him was clearer in his memory than his parents even if only his mother had truly been loved.
His feet had gradually carried him back towards the manor but slowed his pace as he drew to the edge of the sparring yard. As usual there was a small scattering of the other nobles’ children practising but most attention was drawn to one pair.
Hannibal was a proud man and for a long time he had viewed the eventual idea of children as more an obligation of his position than anything else. For a man with a legacy to protect this was not optional, the embodiment of their finest traits in a new body and mind, to leave the accomplishments and morals of their life to and ensure that their family name endured- as it should- long after the original bearer was dead and buried.
He had not expected to love his children as much as he had. Perhaps it was aided by the fact that the children Will had given him were not only beautiful but naturally intelligent needing only the correct guidance.
Watching the alpha girl reminded him of a hero featured in a treasured myth who brought down mountains of men and even lesser gods with perfect technique based on agility and grace that exceeded any other human of the age. Talent had not come so easily to Ausra but she had worked hard without complaint and he could not help but be impressed and wonder if there would come a time that she would get the chance to follow her brothers into a real battle.
Catching a trace of another familiar scent he studied the gathered crowd and without difficulty picked out his mate. He frowned at the way his wastrel brother Antony stood so close to Will and leaned down to whisper in his mate’s ear. A part of his mind would always be attuned to his mate and if they were apart quietly fixed on signs of where he could be. Seeing such familiarity between his omega and another alpha was enough to vex him further and was about to walk over to them when a thud drew his eyes back to his daughter and her fight.
Face red and angry, Ausra’s opponent had abandoned his training sword to tackle the girl, his height and weight apparently the only advantage to work with. Hannibal stepped forward even as the master of arms called foul play but the girl had already regained her feet, agile and lighter than the older boy, grinning as a well placed blow to the leg won her the round.
“A dirty move, my lady,” Dollarhyde said, his deep almost sonorous voice slightly amused but still enough to chastise. Despite the slow manner he spoke in and impressive height leading some to view him as a dumb brute, the beta had always had his confidence.
“But wise, if your opponent does not fight fair,” she said but did not argue further. Flipping the sword around so she held the blunted blade she extended it to the fallen boy, offering a hand. For a moment the boy looked like he was considering spitting at her but remembered himself in time. Death, unavoidable for such a slight but it would not be much of a loss. Insult aside a boy of at least fifteen should have progressed further at arms and likely would not improve now.
He was used enough to the bleating sheep of his courtiers responding to him that he barley noticed how the path cleared for him to make his way to his mate and daughter.
“Quite an improvement,” he said.
Will, Ausra and Anthony all looked up and the latter two had the sense to bow their heads in the correct formal greeting for family members. Seeing his firstborn and his mate side by side served to highlight the resemblance between them.
“Perhaps tonight we may dine together,” the girl went on, “Since our family has apart for such a long time.”
All three of his children had inherited Will’s lovely blue eyes but Ausra was almost entirely Will. There had been times that the words from his daughter’s mouth eerily echoed his mate but while Will observed and sometimes saw more than he wished Ausra…he could not quite understand.
“We shall see, my dear,” Hannibal said quickly before Will could. “Leave us now. And Ausra, you fought very well today.”
“Thank you, my lord.” She inclined her head respectfully but the twist of her mouth as she turned and walked back to the others was positively mischievous. It would not be long before he would be required to arrange a match for her. Ausra would make a challenging bride for many but those would be the ones not worthy of her.
Anthony leaned down closer to Will though his eyes remained on the older alpha in case he should look back around. “Do not let your pride blind you,” Anthony whispered, the soft words blocked by Will’s hair. “You are not safe here anymore.”
He straightened up as Hannibal looked back to his mate and his half-brother. Will looked anything but happy. All things considered he understood Will’s continued discomfort around him but sharing his time with Anthony while denying his mate, that was another matter and he fought the impulse to pull the omega away from him. He had once prided himself his reserve and ability to run multiple trains of thought seamlessly at once but now barely managed distance his mind from his mate every moment he was not beside him.
“There are more things I wished to discuss with you,” Hannibal began.
“That sounds rather tedious,” Anthony said loudly, cutting him off and ignoring the other’s glare. “If you will excuse me.” He inclined his head just enough to be considered respectful before taking his leave as well.
Will stared after him a moment, far too much on his mind. Anthony’s words, whether they came from a place of caring or not, were hardly new warnings. He had tested the alpha’s temper time and again and Hannibal was already a man known to be fickle.
His daughter was safe and well for the moment though he knew nothing about his other children and what did scare him was the possibility that the animosity grown between himself and his mate could be turned to them. A hand brushed over his cheek, pushing back the unruly curls from his face, and Will flinched before he could help himself. For a moment hurt seems to shown on the alpha’s face before he tucked it back behind his composed mask, hands falling to his sides.
“It has been a while since you rode I’m sure,” Hannibal said. “You will accompany me? Please.”
Will scoffed. Hannibal knew he had not been permitted to leave the clearing around his cottage for months. He had no desire to spend that long a time alone with the alpha but there were too many eyes on them now to avoid creating more of a scene.
“Very well, my lord.”
Despite his reluctance at going anywhere alone with the alpha, being in the saddle was always pleasant. Will refused the arm offered though the alpha kept pace with him easily.
You are cruel, without any valid reason and beyond measure. Do as you please, my lord, as you have always but do not insult me further with your so called regret
The words Will had uttered barely two hours earlier hung heavy on his mind and held his tongue. As their horses were saddled Will leaned against his horse, letting the warmth and feel of the gelding give some comfort.
Hannibal looked back at the guards who had silently followed them from the gardens.
“No guards. My mate and I will go unaccompanied today,” he said watching the omega’s face for a reaction but the omega’s expression did not change.
“You are perfectly safe with me,” Hannibal said firmly.
The grounds extended miles before reaching the main road to the city and the plains beyond. Hannibal glanced at Will riding beside him but the omega still continued to ignore him.
He had hurt Will during the last heat they had shared in more ways than one. Although some of his actions were blurred by his responding rut the words he had snarled still haunted him. It made sense that he would need to earn his trust again. He still believed that Will could be made to see reason if the alpha could only make him listen. Perhaps taking him to one of their other properties for a while, he considered. Minimal staff and more rustic environment would probably do the omega some good besides.
“It has been a while since you wore trousers,” Hannibal said, noting the change from the finer clothes and debating if he should ask. He decided not. Even bland clothing fitted well to his slim frame and if not for the sweet scent he could almost be mistaken for a beta. Still he couldn’t deny his approval of the pleasant way the material framed Will’s legs and waist.
“As you and I rarely see one another, how and why would you be concerned about my clothing.”
“It reminds me of the boy who tried to murder me on our wedding night,” Hannibal remarked, pleased that that did provoke a recitation from his stubborn omega even if it was only a lip curled into a smirk that strangely did not detract any fairness form his face. He smiled himself as remembered the tiny blade and the inexperienced attempt, how the omega had known just how to capture his interest and held it since. He had suffered in the months without access to his mate though not as badly as Will would have. Irritability, difficultly sleeping and headaches. Over enough time the bond would fade and Will could be claimed anew.
“I was not aware you rode when it wasn’t required,” Will said after a long pause.
“You are right that I do not engage in hunting sports. The method of gathering food or killing a harmless creature is impractical in the first and cruel in both.”
Will laughed humourlessly and Hannibal struggled against the urge to reach out and shake him. Th omega’s insolence annoyed him and a part of him almost longed to enforce discipline.
“I have been thinking about Aaron’s prospects,” he said changing the subject.
“Why bother asking me. I am sure you have already decided.” The omega’s sullen attitude showed no signs of letting up and Hannibal sighed, reminding himself to show more patience.
“Aidan and Ausra’s futures are already planned and Aaron should be given the opportunity to study and gain a profession he is proud of. Perhaps medicine, a noble profession I wish I had been able to pursue further,” Hannibal paused. “If he is forced to stay in his brother’s shadow for the rest of his life.”
Will weighed the words as they continued down the dusty path. His eldest son would inherit his father’s seat baring any unforeseen change and there would always be ways for the younger, more meticulous twin to support his brother while having his own life. It was their daughter who looked forward to a life- marriage and social niceties that would bore her- that would ultimately make her unhappy.
“I believe he would be happy to do so,” Will murmured.
“I would like to make you happy too.”
Will reigned in his mount, stopping in his tracks before Hannibal realised and drew back.
“You care for your children,” Will said softly, waiting for the alpha to nod automatically.
“Of course, as I care for and adore you. Why do you-”
“Hannibal,” Will interrupted looking up to meet his eyes again, icy and unforgiving. “And would you swear not to deny them what their position entails them? Even if you take another to your bed?”
“Of course I would not deny them anything,” Hannibal answered firmly, ignoring the second half of the question.
“Then the only thing that might…” Will cut himself off, wincing. “Let me leave.”
Hannibal was left speechless and did not notice that his spouse had risen away.
If he were to Will aside quietly the omega would have no shortage of interested suitors despite the recent slander on his fertility and virtue. The thought of another alpha touching his mate, kissing him, spilling their seed inside him was enough to make him growl. Again he felt the desire to reach for Will, to press down on the nerve points in his nape that would render him docile and willing for his mate’s touch and take back the unthinkable request. Growling, he yanked on his reigns and drove his heel into his horse’s side to hurry after the retreating form of his omega. He caught up with Will, grabbing his thin arm and shaking him without thinking. Will cried out as both horses protested the treatment and the omega was almost unseated.
“My feelings mean so little to you? I suppose one alpha is much like another to you and you can always find another to please you?” Hannibal snarled, trying to regain a hold on his anger.
“You are wretch and a fool for saying that to me!” Will retorted, his voice being finally to strain.
“Am I William? Where would you go if I permit you then?” Hannibal dug his nails deep into his skin as the omega struggled. Surely he did not already have a lover he planned to forsake them for
“That does not matter.”
“And our lives together? Does that mean nothing?”
“You have already taken away my children,” Will snarled. “And even if it would break my heart to do so, I wouldn’t ask them to break from you and live a life without security even if that meant I would lose them.” His beautiful blue eyes shone with tears now as he dragged himself free from the alpha. “You seem determined to make a laughingstock of me and for some reason persist in this foolish act of wanting me back. It sickens me.”
“Because I will not have rumours persist because of your pride and make me appear weak. A woman arrived this morning at our doorstep because other kingdoms believe I would welcome that.” He breathed deeply. “You will not leave and come morning I expect you to have returned to your rooms and be ready to ease back into your duties as my spouse. Whether you go quietly or have to be carried is no matter to me.”